Rudolf freiherr von brockdorff



RUDOLF FREIHERR VON BROCKDORFF ELECTRODE FOR LIQUID RESISTANCES Feb. 19 1924. 1,484,243

Filed March 28. 1921 a 1 a t I a I 5 d s 0 c 0 d 5 I I I i 1 66M s WM (fa Patented Feb. 19,1924.

UNITED STATES v 1,484.24: PATENT OFFICE.-

BUDOLI FBEIHEBB VON BROCKDOBFF, OF MUNICH, GERMANY.

EECTBODE FOR LIQUID BESISTANCES.

Application filed larch 28, 1921. Serial 1T0. 458,127.

To all whom it ma concern:

Be it known that RunoLr Framers VON Bnocxnonrr a citizen of the German Republic, residing at Munich, Germany, have invented 00114111! new and useful Improvements in Electrodes for Liquid Resistances, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric liquid resistances or li uid heaters of the type in which the liqui forms a resistance to the passage of current therethrough and in which one or more electrodes are immersed in the liquid. i

The present invention has for its object to provide a construction of electrode in which obstruction to the flow of the water or like liquid is minimized while avoiding rapid wear or deterioration of the electrode and the possibility of a concentration of po-- tential at points on the electrode, such concentration of potential leading easily to the formation of sp'arks.

A further object of the invention is to ensure that the current discharge from the electrode is uniformly distributed and to provide the electrode with a large surface exposed to the liquid.

According to this invention the electrode consists of two annular bodies or rings, which are superposed at a certain distance apart and connected the one with the other by rods. The liquid rises through the lower ring into the cage-like receptacle formed by the rods and flows ofi wholly or partly in a lateral direction through the spaces between said rods. The rods may be staggered with regard to one another or they ma be of such shape that they form vanes or b ades which affect intimate inter-mixing of the water without appreciable skin friction. The rods may be solid or tubular. In the latter case part of the water will flow through the tuburods. In order that the invention ma be clearly understood I will proceed to ascribe the same with reference to the examples of construction shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is, on the left hand side, a section and on the right hand side an elevation of the improved electrode.

Fig. 2 is a cros section of the same.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section showing a second form of construction.

Fig. 4 is a cross section of Fig. 3.

- Figs. 5 and 6 are cross sections of a third and fourth form of construction-respectively. Y

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a is an upper ring of conducting material, provided with a suitable spider f which supports the ring on and connects it to a conductor 9, by which the electrode is supplied with current. The reference character b denotes a lower ring and c are the rods of circular cross section which connect the two rings a and 12. These rods 0 are arranged in two circles as shown in Figure 2, the rods of the outer circle bein the rods 0 the inner circle. As can be seen especially from Fig. 2 the water flows through the lower ri b into the electrode the inner space of which is of substantially uniform cross-sectional area throughout so that the flow of the water is not impeded. The inner ed of the ring 6 may be so shaped as to I) of substantially the same cross-sectional area as the inner space of the electrode and thus minimize impedance to the flow of the Water.

The rods 0 are referably made of graphite as this materia is not liable to a chemical transformation so that variations of thesurface of the electrode are avoided, these being particularly onerous with continuous current although occurring also with alternating current. This is particularly important in connection with small ohmic resistances where the resistance at the point of discharge forms a considerable part of the total resistance.

According to the second form of construction shown in Figures 3 and 4 the rods d whichconnect the rings a and b are tubular and open at the upper and at the lower ends. In this case the liquid flows not only upward through the electrode and from the electrode in lateral direction outward but also in through the tubular rods d.

In the two forms of construction hereinbefore described the water which flows out laterally from the electrode is efi'ectively broken up owing to the staggered arrangement of the rods 0 and d shown by the cross sections Figures 2 and 4.

The form of'construction shown in Figure 5 differs from the forms of construction which have already been described with reference to Figures 1-4 merely in that the rods 0' of the inner circle are of smaller cross section then the rods 0 of the outer circle opposite the intervals between and that the rods 0 are not exactly opposite the intervals between the rods 0 of the inner circle. Sufiicient eddying of the water is however ensured in this form of construction by the difl'erent sizes of the rods and by their position.

According to Figure 6 the rods e have the shape of blades between which long curved channels are formed.

The rods 0', 0 and e may of course be also tubular.

In all the forms of construction, which could of course be further modified, bafiles or like devices m'ay be arranged either around or above the electrode in order compel the liquid to flow in determmed directions within the complete unit, e. g. wlthin the liquid resistance unit.

In all the forms of construction it is further possible to provide difierent forms of cross section for the passages for the liquid formed by the rods 0, d, e within the electrode and to provide for efiicient breaking up of the water without any appreciable skin friction. The individual water particles come into closest proximit to the rods which carr the current so t at voltage variations 0 not occur by the liquid enclosed in the electrode. The entire transformation of energy can be transferred to bafiles or the like arranged outside the electrode as hereinbefore mentioned.

The form of construction comprising the tubular rods will be used preferably where outer bafiles or like devices are provided both outside the rods and above the same.

It is evident that the circular cross section of the electrode rods used for all forms of construction shown by way of example is not a characteristic feature of the invention.

I claim 1. An immersion electrode for liquid resistances comprising in combination, a pair of vertically spaced conducting rings, and a plurality of conducting rods supported between and electrically connected to said rings, said rods and rings forming a cage whereby liquid being heated will flow upward through the lower ring and radially outward between the rods.

2. An immersion electrode for liquid resistances comprising in combination, a pair of vertically spaced conducting rings, and a plurality of conducting rods supported between and electrically connected to said rings, the rods being adapted to impart a whirling motion to liquid flowing outward between them.

3. An immersion electrode for liquid resistances comprising in combination, a pair of vertically spaced conductin rings, and a plurality of conducting rod s supported between and electrically connected to said rings, the rods being arranged in staggered relation and forming with the rings a cage whereb liquid being heated will flow u ward through the lower ring and radially outward between the rods.

4. An immersion electrode for liquid resistances comprising in combination, a pair of vertically spaced conducting rings, a plurality of series of conducting rods supported by and electrically connected to said rings, the rods of each series being of a different size from those of the other series, said rods and rings forming a cage whereby liquid being heated will flow upward thro h the lower ring and radially outward etween the rods.

5. An immersion electrode for liquid resistances comprisin in combination, a pair of vertically space conducting rings, and a plurality of tubular conducting rods supported between and electrically connected to said rings, said rods and rings forming a cage whereby liquid being heated will flow upward through the lower ring and radially outward between the rods.

6. An immersion electrode for liquid resistances comprisin in combination, a pair of vertically space conducting rings, and a plurality of tubular conducting rods supported between and electrically connected to said rings, the rods being arranged in staggered relation and forming with the rings a cage whereby li uid being heated will flow upward throng the lower ring and radially outward between the rods.

7. An immersion electrode for liquid resistances comprising in combination, a pair of vertically spaced conducting rings, and a plurality of conducting vanes supported between and electrically connected to said rings, the vanes being adapted to impart a whirling motion to liquid flowing outward between them.

8. An immersion electrode for liquid resistances comprising in combination, a pair of vertically spaced conducting rings, a plurality of conducting rods supported between and electrically connected to said rings, and means for supporting the upper ring and connecting it to a source of current.

In testimon whereof I afiix my signature in presence 0 two witnesses.

RUDOLF FREIHERR van BROCKDORFF.

Witnesses:

PAUL Fast, A. DE Om. 

